“To amend title 39, United States Code, to establish procedures for post offices that suspend operations due to an emergency, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes procedures for the temporary suspension of post office operations due to an emergency (i.e., natural disaster, termination of a lease or rental agreement, lack of qualified personnel, irreparable damage without suitable alternate quarters, severe damage or destruction, health and safety concerns, mold, challenges to the sanctity of the mail, or lack of adequate safeguards for the post office or its revenue). Specifically, it requires (1) on the first day of suspension, a physical notice at the post office and publication on the Postal Service website; (2) within five days, notice to relevant public officials (i.e., affected Members of Congress, Senators, and local government heads) including reasons for suspension, interim mail delivery solution, and expected end date; (3) for suspensions lasting 30 days, a 30-day public comment period; (4) for suspensions lasting 60 days, a review by the Postal Regulatory Commission and initiation of relocation consistent with existing procedures (including local government input and a 30-day public comment period on a new location); (5) postmasters to develop emergency action plans in consultation with the Postmaster General; and (6) annual reports to Congress beginning January 1, 2026, detailing prior-year suspensions by location, duration, and reason.